NOF WILLAPA GETTING CLOSE !!!!!

NOF WILLAPA GETTING CLOSE !!!!!

Hi Everyone,

Here is the Willapa NOF schedule & Willapa Interim Policy for those who do not have it. Should be interesting to say the least.

Dave

FROM Steve Theisfeld:

As you may recall, we postponed our North of Falcon meetings to discuss salmon seasons for Willapa Bay while we waited for the Fish and Wildlife Commission to provide some interim guidance for 2015. We are hopeful that guidance will be provided on Thursday. In preparation for moving forward with Willapa Bay salmon season discussions, we have tentatively scheduled the following meetings:

Washington Fish and WildlifeCommission

2015 Willapa Bay Salmon Management InterimGuidance

April 9,2015

The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission is providing Washington Departmentof Fish and Wildlife (Department) staff with this guidance and expects specificfishing seasons, including time, manner, and place prescriptions, will be developed in therule- making process that considers both the policy and any public input. TheDepartment shall use the following policy guidance for managing salmon fisheries in WillapaBay and tributary rivers in2015.

Fall ChinookSalmon:

The Department shall initiate a rebuilding program to conserve and restore wildChinook salmon in Willapa Bay. For 2015, limit mortality rates on Naselle and WillapaRiver natural-origin Chinook salmon to no more than 14% to initiate rebuilding the numberof natural-origin spawners. Within the conservation constraints of the rebuildingprogram, manage fisheries with the followinggoals:

Promote the conservation and restoration of Chinook salmon in Willapa Bayby

Monitoring, sampling, and enforcement programs will adequately accountfor species and population impacts (landed catch and incidental fishing mortality)of all recreational and commercial fisheries and ensure compliance withstate regulations.

CohoSalmon:

Manage fisheries with the goal of achieving the aggregate spawner goal for WillapaBay natural-origin Coho salmon. Within this conservation constraint , fisheries willbe managed within the followingintent:

Prioritize commercial fishing opportunities during the Coho fisherymanagement period (September 16 through October 14 and after October 31);and

Provide recreational fishingopportunities.

ChumSalmon:

Manage fisheries with the goal of achieving the aggregate spawner goal for WillapaBay natural-origin Chum salmon. For 2015, limit the mortalities on chum salmon to nomore than 10% to continue rebuilding the number of natural-origin spawners. Withinthe conservation constraints of meeting the aggregate escapement goal, managefisheries with the followinggoals:

No commercial fisheries will occur in the period from October 15-31 tofurther limit mortalities on natural-originchum.

AdaptiveManagement:

The Commission recognizes that adaptive management will be essential to achievethe intent of this interim guidance. Department staff may implement actions tomanage adaptively and will coordinate with the Commission, as needed, in order toimplement correctiveactions.